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Brunei
Brunei (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction :: Brunei
The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries, when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy subsequently brought on a period of decline. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries, and in 2017, the country celebrated the 50th anniversary of Sultan Hassanal BOLKIAH’s accession to the throne. Brunei has one of the highest per-capita GDPs in the world, thanks to extensive petroleum and natural gas fields.
Geography ::Brunei
Geography
Location
Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia
Geographic coordinates
4 30 N, 114 40 E
Map references
Southeast Asia
Area
total : 5,765 sq km
land: 5,265 sq km
water: 500 sq km
comparison ranking: total 172
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Delaware
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 266 km
border countries (1): Malaysia 266 km
Coastline
161 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line
Climate
tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Terrain
flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
Elevation
highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 478 m
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, timber
Land use
agricultural land: 2.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.6% (2018 est.)
forest: 71.8% (2018 est.)
other: 25.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
10 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
the vast majority of the population is found along the coast in the western part of Brunei, which is separated from the eastern portion by Malaysia; the largest population concentration is in the far north on the western side of the Brunei Bay, in and around the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan
Natural hazards
typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
Geography - note
close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; the eastern part, the Temburong district, is an exclave and is almost an enclave within Malaysia
People and Society
Population
total: 491,900
male: 239,140
female: 252,760 (2024 est.)
comparison rankings: female 173; male 173; total 173
Nationality
noun: Bruneian(s)
adjective: Bruneian
Ethnic groups
Malay 67.4%, Chinese 9.6%, other 23% (2021 est.)
Languages
Malay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, Chinese dialects
major-language sample(s):
Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Malay)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Malay audio sample:
Religions
Muslim (official) 82.1%, Christian 6.7%, Buddhist 6.3%, other 4.9% (2021 est.)
Demographic profile
Brunei is a small, oil-rich sultanate of less than half a million people, making it the smallest country in Southeast Asia by population. Its total fertility rate – the average number of births per woman – has been steadily declining over the last few decades, from over 3.5 in the 1980s to below replacement level today at nearly 1.8. The trend is due to women’s increased years of education and participation in the workforce, which have resulted in later marriages and fewer children. Yet, the population continues to grow because of the large number of women of reproductive age and a reliance on foreign labor – mainly from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and South Asian countries – to fill low-skilled jobs.
Brunei is officially Muslim, and Malay is the official language. The country follows an official Malay national ideology, Malay Islamic Monarchy, which promotes Malay language and culture, Islamic values, and the monarchy. Only seven of Brunei’s native groups are recognized in the constitution and are defined as “Malay” – Brunei Malays, Belait, Kedayan, Dusun, Bisayak, Lun Bawang, and Sama-Baiau. Together they make up about 66% percent of the population and are referred to as the Bumiputera. The Bumiputera are entitled to official privileges, including land ownership, access to certain types of employment (Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Brunei Shell Petroleum), easier access to higher education, and better job opportunities in the civil service.
Brunei’s Chinese population descends from migrants who arrived when Brunei was a British protectorate (1888 and 1984). They are prominent in the non-state commercial sector and account for approximately 10% of the population. Most Bruneian Chinese are permanent residents rather than citizens despite roots going back several generations. Many are stateless and are denied rights granted to citizens, such as land ownership, subsidized health care, and free secondary and university education. Because of the discriminatory policies, the number of Chinese in Brunei has shrunk considerably in the last 50 years. Native ethnic groups that are not included in the Bumiputera are not recognized in the constitution and are not officially identified as “Malay” or automatically granted citizenship. Foreign workers constitute some quarter of the labor force.
Age structure
0-14 years: 21.7% (male 54,924/female 51,710)
15-64 years: 70.8% (male 166,289/female 182,011)
65 years and over: 7.5% (2024 est.) (male 17,927/female 19,039)
2023 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 39.2
youth dependency ratio: 31.1
elderly dependency ratio: 8.1
potential support ratio: 12.4 (2021 est.)
Median age
total: 32.3 years (2024 est.)
male: 31.4 years
female: 33.1 years
comparison ranking: total 117
Population growth rate
1.4% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 71
Birth rate
15.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 101
Death rate
3.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 218
Net migration rate
2.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 48
Population distribution
the vast majority of the population is found along the coast in the western part of Brunei, which is separated from the eastern portion by Malaysia; the largest population concentration is in the far north on the western side of the Brunei Bay, in and around the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan
Urbanization
urban population: 79.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
Major urban areas - population
266,682 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) (2021)
note: the boundaries of the capital city were expanded in 2007, greatly increasing the city area; the population of the capital increased tenfold
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
44 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 99
Infant mortality rate
total: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 12.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 132
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 78.9 years (2024 est.)
male: 76.5 years
female: 81.3 years
comparison ranking: total population 71
Total fertility rate
1.73 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 153
Gross reproduction rate
0.85 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
NA
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 99.7% of population
rural: NA
total: 99.9% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0.1% of population (2020)
Current health expenditure
2.4% of GDP (2020)
Physician density
1.61 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
Hospital bed density
2.9 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: NA
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
14.1% (2016)
comparison ranking: 129
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 0.69 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 157
Tobacco use
total: 16.2% (2020 est.)
male: 30% (2020 est.)
female: 2.3% (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 100
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
NA
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
54.3% (2023 est.)
Education expenditures
4.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
comparison ranking: 104
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.6%
male: 98.3%
female: 96.9% (2021)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2020)
Environment
Environment - current issues
no major environmental problems, but air pollution control is becoming a concern; seasonal trans-boundary haze from forest fires in Indonesia
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Land use
agricultural land: 2.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.6% (2018 est.)
forest: 71.8% (2018 est.)
other: 25.7% (2018 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 79.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030
Revenue from forest resources
0.05% of GDP (2018 est.)
comparison ranking: 129
Revenue from coal
0% of GDP (2018 est.)
comparison ranking: 106
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 6.86 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 7.66 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 8.4 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 216,253 tons (2016 est.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 150 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
8.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam
conventional short form: Brunei
local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam
local short form: Brunei
etymology: derivation of the name is unclear; according to legend, MUHAMMAD SHAH, who would become the first sultan of Brunei, upon discovering what would become Brunei exclaimed "Baru nah," which roughly translates as "there" or "that's it"
Government type
absolute monarchy or sultanate
Capital
name: Bandar Seri Begawan
geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: named in 1970 after Sultan Omar Ali SAIFUDDIEN III (1914-1986) who adopted the title of "Seri Begawan" (approximate meaning "honored lord") upon his abdication in 1967; "bandar" means "city" in Malay; the capital had previously been called Bandar Brunei (Brunei City)
Administrative divisions
4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei dan Muara, Temburong, Tutong
Independence
1 January 1984 (from the UK)
National holiday
National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection; the Sultan's birthday, 15 June
Legal system
mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law; note - in April 2019, the full sharia penal codes came into force and apply to Muslims and partly to non-Muslims in parallel with present common law codes
Constitution
history: drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959; note - some constitutional provisions suspended since 1962 under a State of Emergency, others suspended since independence in 1984
amendments: proposed by the monarch; passage requires submission to the Privy Council for Legislative Council review and finalization takes place by proclamation; the monarch can accept or reject changes to the original proposal provided by the Legislative Council; amended several times, last in 2010
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Brunei
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 12 years
Suffrage
18 years of age for village elections; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; note - 4 additional advisory councils appointed by the monarch are the Religious Council, Privy Council for constitutional issues, Council of Succession, and Legislative Council; Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah is also Minister of Finance, Defense, and Foreign Affairs and Trade
elections/appointments: none; the monarchy is hereditary
note - the monarch is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch
legislature name: Legislative Council (Majlis Mesyuarat Negara)
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 45 (all appointed)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 1/20/2023
percentage of women in chamber: 11.8%
expected date of next election: January 2028
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the Court of Appeal and the High Court, each with a chief justice and 2 judges); Sharia Court (consists the Court of Appeals and the High Court); note - Brunei has a dual judicial system of secular and sharia (religious) courts; the Judicial Committee of Privy Council (in London) serves as the final appellate court for civil cases only
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch to serve until age 65, and older if approved by the monarch; Sharia Court judges appointed by the monarch for life
subordinate courts: Intermediate Court; Magistrates' Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts
Political parties
National Development Party or NDP
note: the NDP is Brunei’s only registered party, but does not have representation in the Legislative Council, which is appointed
International organization participation
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Dato Paduka Haji SERBINI bin Haji Ali (since 28 January 2016)
chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838
FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560
email address and website:
info@bruneiembassy.org
http://www.bruneiembassy.org/index.html
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Caryn R. McCLELLAND (since December 2021)
embassy: Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Duta, Bandar Seri Begawan, BC4115
mailing address: 4020 Bandar Seri Begawan Place, Washington DC 20521-4020
telephone: (673) 238-7400
FAX: (673) 238-7533
email address and website:
ConsularBrunei@state.gov
https://bn.usembassy.gov/
Flag description
yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; yellow is the color of royalty and symbolizes the sultanate; the white and black bands denote Brunei's chief ministers; the emblem includes five main components: a swallow-tailed flag, the royal umbrella representing the monarchy, the wings of four feathers symbolizing justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace, the two upraised hands signifying the government's pledge to preserve and promote the welfare of the people, and the crescent moon denoting Islam, the state religion; the state motto "Always render service with God's guidance" appears in yellow Arabic script on the crescent; a ribbon below the crescent reads "Brunei, the Abode of Peace"
National symbol(s)
royal parasol; national colors: yellow, white, black
National anthem
name: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty)
lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap
note: adopted 1951
Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Brunei. The water village of Kampong Ayer, with houses on stilts, lies within its boundaries and stretches about 8 km (5 mi) along the Brunei River. The self-contained settlement is equipped with schools, police stations, clinics, a waterborne fire brigade, and mosques, all connected by walkways and bridges.
Economy
Economic overview
almost exclusively an oil and gas economy; high income country; expansive and robust welfare system; the majority of the population works for the government; promulgating a nationalized halal brand; considering establishment of a bond market and stock exchange
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$35.26 billion (2023 est.)
$34.771 billion (2022 est.)
$35.347 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 141
Real GDP growth rate
1.41% (2023 est.)
-1.63% (2022 est.)
-1.59% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 153
Real GDP per capita
$76,800 (2023 est.)
$76,400 (2022 est.)
$78,200 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 12
GDP (official exchange rate)
$15.128 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
0.36% (2023 est.)
3.68% (2022 est.)
1.73% (2021 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 12
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 1.2% (2023 est.)
industry: 61.8% (2023 est.)
services: 38.8% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 200; industry 3; agriculture 179
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 27.6% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 22.8% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 29.4% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.2% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 76.5% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -60% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
chicken, eggs, fruits, rice, vegetables, beans, bananas, beef, pineapples, cucumbers/gherkins (2022)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction, agriculture, aquaculture, transportation
Industrial production growth rate
-1.43% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 172
Labor force
233,000 (2023 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 176
Unemployment rate
5.27% (2023 est.)
5.19% (2022 est.)
4.91% (2021 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 100
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 18.6% (2023 est.)
male: 16.2% (2023 est.)
female: 22.3% (2023 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 73
Remittances
0.01% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.01% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.01% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $1.058 billion (2020 est.)
expenditures: $3.189 billion (2020 est.)
Public debt
2.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 204
Taxes and other revenues
18.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 96
Current account balance
$1.944 billion (2023 est.)
$3.264 billion (2022 est.)
$1.57 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 47
Exports
$11.578 billion (2023 est.)
$14.411 billion (2022 est.)
$11.202 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 109
Exports - partners
Australia 19%, Japan 17%, China 16%, Singapore 14%, Malaysia 10% (2022)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, natural gas, crude petroleum, hydrocarbons, fertilizers (2022)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$9.081 billion (2023 est.)
$10.106 billion (2022 est.)
$9.219 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 126
Imports - partners
Malaysia 22%, UAE 11%, China 10%, Singapore 7%, Qatar 6% (2022)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, coal, gas turbines (2022)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$4.483 billion (2023 est.)
$5.035 billion (2022 est.)
$4.982 billion (2021 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 103
Exchange rates
Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
1.343 (2023 est.)
1.379 (2022 est.)
1.344 (2021 est.)
1.38 (2020 est.)
1.364 (2019 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 1.265 million kW (2022 est.)
consumption: 5.24 billion kWh (2022 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 513 million kWh (2022 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 80; consumption 130; installed generating capacity 130
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Coal
consumption: 1.203 million metric tons (2022 est.)
imports: 1.203 million metric tons (2022 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 95,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 17,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 10.598 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
consumption: 4.374 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
exports: 6.12 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
proven reserves: 260.515 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
12.172 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 1.419 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 2.197 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 8.557 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 103
Energy consumption per capita
466.111 million Btu/person (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: 5
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 122,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 27 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 130
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 529,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 118 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 173
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: Brunei’s mobile market experienced drop-off in subscriber numbers in 2020; in 2022 there was a concerted effort to build out the fixed-line infrastructure while progressing towards introducing 5G mobile services, which was activated in June 2023; Brunei’s fixed-line market is one of the few countries in the world to have displayed significant growth rather than a decline in teledensity in the last few years; this upward trend is set to continue as the new Unified National Network (UNN) works diligently to expand and enhance the fixed-line infrastructure around the country; strong growth was also seen in the fixed broadband space, on the back of those same infrastructure developments that are part of the Brunei Vision 2035 initiative; fixed broadband is starting from a relatively low base by international standards and is still only at 18%, leaving lots of room for growth; mobile and mobile broadband, on the other hand, are still suffering from the market contractions first felt in 2020; Brunei’s 2G GSM network is shut down, with the spectrum to be reallocated to 3G, 4G, and potentially 5G use (2023)
domestic: 25 per 100 fixed-line, 136 per 100 mobile-cellular (2021)
international: country code - 673; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3, SJC, AAG, Lubuan-Brunei Submarine Cable via optical telecommunications submarine cables that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2019)
Broadcast media
state-controlled Radio Television Brunei (RTB) operates 5 channels; 3 Malaysian TV stations are available; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite systems; RTB operates 5 radio networks and broadcasts on multiple frequencies; British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides radio broadcasts on 2 FM stations; some radio broadcast stations from Malaysia are available via repeaters
Internet country code
.bn
Internet users
percent of population: 98% (2021 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 71,078 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 134
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 10
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,234,455 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 129.35 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
V8
Airports
2 (2024)
comparison ranking: 200
Heliports
14 (2024)
Pipelines
33 km condensate, 86 km condensate/gas, 628 km gas, 492 km oil (2013)
Roadways
total: 2,976 km
paved: 2,559 km
unpaved: 417 km (2014)
comparison ranking: total 163
Waterways
209 km (2012) (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m; the Belait, Brunei, and Tutong Rivers are major transport links)
comparison ranking: 106
Merchant marine
total: 97 (2023)
by type: general cargo 18, oil tanker 2, other 77
comparison ranking: total 90
Ports
total ports: 5 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 2
very small: 3
ports with oil terminals: 5
key ports: Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Lumut, Muara Harbor, Seria Oil Loading Terminal
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) or Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB): Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF) or Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei (TDDB), Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) or Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei (TLDB),
Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) or Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDB)
Ministry of Home Affairs: Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) or Polis Diraja Brunei (PDB) (2024)
note: the Gurkha Reserve Unit (GRU) under the Ministry of Defense is a special guard force for the Sultan, the royal family, and the country’s oil installations; the RBAF has a Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) to oversee joint/combined operations of the service branches
Military expenditures
3% of GDP (2023 est.)
2.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
3.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
3.7% of GDP (2020 est.)
3.1% of GDP (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 32
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 8,000 total active-duty troops (2024)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's s inventory includes equipment and weapons systems from a wide variety of suppliers from Asia, Europe, and the US (2024)
Military service age and obligation
17 years of age for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve (2024)
note: the Gurkha Reserve Unit (GRU) employs hundreds of Gurkhas from Nepal, the majority of whom are veterans of the British Army and the Singapore Police Force who have joined the GRU as a second career
Military - note
the Royal Brunei Armed Forces were formed in 1961 with British support as the Brunei Malay Regiment; "Royal" was added as an honorary title in 1965 and its current name was given in 1984; the military is responsible for ensuring the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as countering outside aggression, terrorism, and insurgency
Brunei has a long-standing defense relationship with the UK and hosts a British Army garrison, which includes a Gurkha battalion and a jungle warfare school; Brunei also hosts a Singaporean military training detachment
(2024)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
stateless persons: 20,863 (2022); note - thousands of stateless persons, often ethnic Chinese, are permanent residents and their families have lived in Brunei for generations; obtaining citizenship is difficult and requires individuals to pass rigorous tests on Malay culture, customs, and language; stateless residents receive an International Certificate of Identity, which enables them to travel overseas; the government is considering changing the law prohibiting non-Bruneians, including stateless permanent residents, from owning land
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 3 — Brunei does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, Brunei was downgraded to Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/brunei/
Illicit drugs
drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty
